In a thrilling encounter on Friday afternoon, Equity Hawks secured their place in the Africa Women’s League (AWBL) quarterfinals by defeating Cameroon’s Overdose Up Station with a narrow 76-73 victory.
The defining moment came from Judith Pantaleo’s magical buzzer-beater, proving to be the decisive factor in regulation time.
The young talent showcased an outstanding performance, achieving a double-double with 24 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals. However, it was her clutch three-pointer that ultimately propelled the Equity Hawks to the quarterfinals as the Group B third seed.
In a high-stakes game where elimination loomed for the bankers, Pantaleo’s inspiring afternoon began with a quick start, contributing six points early in the first quarter to give Equity a 6-2 advantage.
They maintained a narrow lead of 24-22 by the end of the first quarter. Equity managed to secure a slight 41-38 lead going into halftime by winning the second quarter by a bucket.
Overdose Up Station made a strong comeback in the second half, winning the third quarter 21-17. However, Equity Hawks held their ground, winning the last quarter 17-14, ultimately sealing their qualification for the quarterfinals.
The Equity Hawks’ triumph was a testament to their resilience and Pantaleo’s pivotal performance, ensuring their journey continues in the AWBL with hopes of further success in the upcoming stages of the competition.
